Shalom and Peace:
Today we continue with more of Jewish Ethics (Derek Eretz) from the Talmud. In past four months we discussed the first six of the seven abominations that the Rabbis teach from Proverbs 26:25: "Though his speech is charming, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart.'' The sages say the seven are: thoughts, scorn, haughtiness, cruelty, idleness, causeless hatred, and an evil eye. Today we will continue and end with seventh.
Lastly we have the abomination of those who have the evil eye, the ayin ha ra. This is not folk lore superstition in Judaism although the use of red ribbons etc is. Talmud Pirkei Avot reads: ''An evil eye is worse than a bad friend, a bad neighbor, or an evil heart.''
Judaism believes that a "good eye" designates an attitude of good will and kindness towards others. Someone who has this attitude in life will rejoice when his fellow man prospers; he will wish everyone well.
An "evil eye" denotes the opposite attitude. A man with "an evil eye" will not only feel no joy but experience actual distress when others prosper, and will rejoice when others suffer. A person of this character represents a great danger to our spirituality and society.
Having an evil eye, far worse than jealousy or coveting, shows a major disconnect with the Divine and one's fellows. It shows that one not only thinks that God does not provide his basic needs, but actually wishes harm to one whom he thinks is doing better than he is. ''Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?''(Prov. 27:4)
The rabbis end this discussion in Talmud Derek Eretz by stating that the above seven abominations are well beyond defects of character. In fact Solomon in the quoted verse Proverbs 26:25, has defined the sociopath : ''Though his speech is charming, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart.'' While we are to love all, there are some people from whom we need to stay far away. As the Talmud teaches: "Stay away from an evil neighbor."
Have a Happy Thanksgiving and let us try to make each day one with an attitude of gratitude.
Rabbi Arthur Segal is an international lecturer, author, and teacher. Visit him at www.JewishSpiritualRenewal.org . Follow him on FaceBook at 'Arthur L Segal', on Twitter at RabbiASegal, or his blog at http://rabbiarthursegal.blogspot.com . Email at RabbiASegal@aol.com
Jewish Renewal www.jewishrenewal.info
Jewish Spiritual Renewal http://rabbiarthursegal.blogspot.com
Jewish Spirituality
Eco Judaism
facebook.com/RabbiArthurSegalJewishSpiritualRenewal
Hilton Head Island, SC, Bluffton, SC, Savannah, GA
Jewish Renewal www.jewishrenewal.info
Jewish Spiritual Renewal http://rabbiarthursegal.blogspot.com
Jewish Spirituality
Eco Judaism
facebook.com/RabbiArthurSegalJewishSpiritualRenewal
Hilton Head Island, SC, Bluffton, SC, Savannah, GA
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